Built for a Pandemic

The pandemic virtually stole a year from education especially at the elementary and early childhood levels. While the negative effects were very large, Covid-19 caused great innovation across many industries and education was of course one of them. Luckily for the great organizations Learners Edge, iteach, and Teaching Channel, all of their resources are online. They were built for something like this and it is starting to show.

The pandemic did however have some negative effects on the company’s structure. While they have always had some remote workers due to them being so spread out, the pandemic forced everyone online. To cope, they sold most of their office space. The Leaners Edge team is based out of Minnesota but the CEO and CAO both live in Charlottesville, Virginia. This created a very interesting dynamic. They also are both relatively new having started in the last couple of years. You would think that a pandemic paired with new leadership in a company is a recipe for disaster. Instead, they both came in and did excellent work to move the company forward. The company has a proven track record of putting teachers into classrooms online, without sacrificing quality. Every other subordinate to the CAO and CEO that I have met have nothing but great things to say. The dynamic in which I observed the most was between the CAO and Vice President. Their banter was always friendly showing a seemingly great bond. They both clearly held their own and collaborated a ton. Everyone who I came into contact with seemed to want to make an impact, both on the company and the people that they were trying to pitch. While the company still is mostly virtual, those in Minnesota are still able to go into the office, while the CEO and CAO fly out there to visit and meet with them from time to time. This hybrid setting of work is becoming hyper normalized and the company had experience in this setting allowing for a smooth change of leadership and to move the company forward.

Another piece to all of this was adding an intern. Luckily my direct supervisor had an education background. She catered to my needs as a student of this company almost. She was always constructive but ended every meeting with a compliment to make sure that I knew how well I was doing. This boosted my confidence and comfortability within the company and with everyone who I came into contact with. I am so appreciative for my time at Learners Edge it was truly an amazing experience due to the people and the way that everyone treated each other whether a leader or a follower like me!